The Father & Child Trust is now officially represented in New Zealand’s largest city. Brendon Smith has taken the role of Auckland Regional Coordinator. He will be in charge of establishing local networks and contacts that will lead to the provision of Father & Child services in Auckland.

Brendon became involved with Father & Child through this magazine about three years ago and has contributed regularly. For the last two years he has also been a member of the Trust’s Board.

In his other life Brendon helps build websites, works as a yardman and is a primary parent to his daughter and son.

Father & Child work in Auckland is planned to start with the maternity sector, which means involvement in antenatal classes and postnatal support for new dads.

The Trust had targeted the sector in Christchurch since its beginning nine years ago and has built up a fair amount of knowledge about new father support. Much of this is available through the Father & Child web site and through the resource ‘ Dads and Babies’.

Brendon also wants to get a core group of dads together to manage the Auckland branch.

“I think the Auckland region already has good press and several well established men’s groups.”, he says. ”While some of them focus on father’s issues, not many have the backing of a good research and services base like the Father and Child Trust. I hope to establish a positive and effective service for all fathers by sharing information, including local features and promoting the magazine.”

The Trust had tried at the same time to establish a Regional Coordinator position in Wellington as well, but so far has been unsuccessful in obtaining funding.

The Trust’s Christchurch-based general Coordinator Harald Breiding-Buss is optimistic about the Auckland branch’s prospects:

“This is the first serious attempt in a very long time to establish regular services for dads outside Christchurch and hopefully the first step in father support being provided everywhere in New Zealand”, he says.

Auckland Father & Child Trust contacts:
PO Box 11 931, Ellerslie
Ph (09) 525 1690 or 021-892 980